World Neurosurg
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Case Reports
Deep brain stimulation for the treatment of dopa-responsive dystonia: A case report and literature review.
The aim of this study was to observe the improvement in patients with dopa-responsive dystonia (DRD) after deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus internus (GPi). ⋯ After 6 months of GPi DBS treatment, the total BFMDRS score of the patient was 5, a 94.28% improvement over the preoperative baseline score. In addition, the MMSE, MOCA, HAMA, and HAMD scores of the patient were 30, 30, 1, and 2, respectively. Intelligence and cognitive levels of the patient did not change significantly compared with the preoperative baseline level, whereas anxiety and depression status of the patient improved compared with the preoperative status. GPi DBS treatment can significantly improve the symptoms of systemic dystonia in patients with DRD, and to a certain extent improve the anxiety and depression status of these patients. Therefore, we conclude that GPi DBS is an alternative safe and effective treatment for patients with DRD.
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Case Reports
Combined Transarterial and Transvenous Onyx Embolization of Jugular Foramen Paragangliomas.
Jugular foramen paragangliomas are highly vascular tumors known to have significant venous hemorrhage during resection even after conventional transarterial embolization. The authors report a novel technique to the endovascular embolization of jugular foramen paragangliomas using a combined transarterial and transvenous access for better intraoperative control of blood loss and visualization. ⋯ The initial experience with simultaneous transvenous and transarterial paraganglioma embolization demonstrated the safety of the technique and superior embolic agent penetration. This was supported by our observations during embolization and intraoperatively during tumor resection. Additional patients need to be treated with this technique for better assessment of long-term efficacy and incidence of embolization-related cranial neuropathies.
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Tissue diagnosis for lesions in the posterior fossa, such as the brainstem, cerebellar peduncle, and cerebellum, is an important determinant of the next treatment option. Herein, we present our 10-year experience with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided frame-based stereotactic biopsy for 39 patients with posterior fossa lesions, the largest case series in this matter. ⋯ We present the largest reported series of MRI-guided frame-based stereotactic biopsy of the posterior fossa lesions via a transcerebellar route. We prefer oblique positioning of the frame on the skull and use a transcerebellar route to reduce surgical complications and achieve a greater localization success rate.
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The opioid crisis has been declared a "public health emergency." Spine surgeons are treating more patients with substance use disorders (SUDs). ⋯ Patients with SUD are at increased risk of complications and inadequate follow-up. Additional studies are warranted to determine whether additional perioperative education, psychiatry consultations, or prescription of opioid addiction treatment regimens will improve drug use cessation and outcomes.
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Case Reports
T10-L3 Cystic Lesion of the Ventriculus Terminalis Presenting as Conus Medullaris Syndrome: A Case Report.
Intramedullary spinal cord cysts are benign, rare, fluid-filled lesions that can present anywhere along the craniospinal axis. However, when present at the level of the ventriculus terminalis, conus medullaris syndrome may occur. Radical resection of the cyst wall and evacuation of the cyst content are the 2 surgical procedures of choice. ⋯ Cystic lesions of the ventriculus terminalis are rare entities with a common presentation of severe, progressive neurologic impairment. Our case matches the classic presentation of conus medullaris syndrome. We describe and demonstrate through an operative video novel surgical techniques used to achieve successful fenestration of the cyst wall with remarkable neurologic symptom improvement. Moreover, the present case does not correlate with the classic radiographic characteristics available in current literature, such as involvement of 5 spinal segments.